Greg Tobin on Pope Francis's Funeral and Papal Conclave

Pope Francis's Funeral Arrangements

• 🕊️ Pope Francis will lie in state at St. Peter's Basilica until Friday, with his funeral mass scheduled for Saturday.
• 🕯️ His funeral plans are described as scaled back and stripped down compared to previous papal funerals, reflecting his message of simplicity.
• ✝️ The Pope specifically wanted his funeral liturgy to be for every faithful Catholic, emphasizing his role as a member of the church.
• ⏳ It is believed Pope Francis made these funeral decisions after long contemplation and anticipation of his passing.

The Papal Conclave

• ⛪ Following the funeral, cardinals will convene a conclave to elect a new pope.
• 🗓️ The conclave is expected to begin around May 6th, marking a significant moment in the church's 2,000-year history.
• 🗣️ Cardinals will engage in a period of listening, reflection, sharing, and prayer before the election.
• 🌍 The election process occurs in a world that is very different from the last conclave in 2013.